Long before Muhammed preached the religion of Islam, the inhabitants of his native Arabia had played an important role in world history as both merchants and warriors Arabia and the Arabs provides the only up-to-date, one-volume survey of the region and its peoples, from prehistory to the coming of Islam Using a wide range of sources - inscriptions, poetry, histories, and archaeological evidence - Robert Hoyland explores the main cultural areas of Arabia, from ancient Sheba in the south, to the deserts and oases of the north. He then examines the major themes of *the economy *society *religion *art, architecture and artefacts *language and literature *Arabhood and Arabisation The volume is illustrated with more than 50 photographs, drawings and maps. Arabia and the Arabs have been the subject of numerous historical studies by Western scholars. Some focus on Islam, others consider more secular and modern dimensions, but few examine the pre-Islamic period. In this highly original book, Hoyland (Seeing Islam as Others Saw It), a research fellow at St. John's College, Oxford, and the author of several books on the history of the Middle East, gives us a rare glimpse into the society and culture of Arabia before the advent of Islam in the seventh century. Hoyland challenges the myth of pre-Islamic Arabia as culturally barren and demonstrates the social vitality of everyday life in the area. This one-volume survey is based on the author's fieldwork as well as an impressive array of primary and secondary sources. The narrative is enhanced by numerous maps, figures, and plates. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. Nader Entessar, Spring Hill Coll., Mobile, AL Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. "In this highly original book, Hoyland gives us a rare glimpse into the society and culture of Arabia before the advent of Islam in the seventh century. Hoyland challenges the myth of pre-Islamic Arabia as culturally barren and demonstrates the social vitality of everyday life in the area. The narrative is enhanced by numerous maps, figures and plates. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries." - Library Journal 'A masterly short overview of pre-Islamic Arabia, from ancient Sheba to the advent of Islam.' - Carole Hillenbrand, BBC History Magazine 'This book is thoroughly enjoyable and must be considered indispensable to anyone who is either a researcher of or interested in this field of study.' - Biblioteca Orientalis Robert G. Hoyland has been a research fellow of St John’s College, Oxford since 1994. He is the author of Seeing Islam As Others Saw It and several articles on the history of the Middle East. He regularly conducts fieldwork in the region.